Goalkeeper change headlines Slegers' Arsenal Women XI at Chelsea

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Renée Slegers has shuffled her pack for Arsenal Women's WSL trip to Chelsea this afternoon, with Anneke Borbe coming into the starting line-up between the posts and Mariona deployed on the wing.

Kyra Cooney-Cross is the third change, slotting into a midfield three alongside Georgia Stanway and captain Kim Little.

Borbe starts behind a back four of Emily Fox, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley and Ona Batlle. Further forward, Mariona and Baum operate either side of Alessia Russo, who leads the line at Stamford Bridge.

The full line-up

Arsenal Women XI: 28.Borbe; 2.Fox, 6.Williamson, 7.Catley, 22.O.Batlle; 4.Stanway, 10.Little (c), 32.Cooney-Cross; 19.Baum, 8.Mariona; 23.Russo.

Subs: 3.Wubben-Moy, 9.Foord, 11.Smith, 14.Reuteler, 16.Misa, 18.Kelly, 25.Blackstenius, 29.Cerci, 31.Holmberg.

Hinds and Maanum do not feature in the matchday squad, leaving Slegers with a bench that still carries plenty of attacking weight in Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly.

Cooney-Cross handed a start

The inclusion of Cooney-Cross is the most notable selection in midfield, with the Australian continuing her return to the fold. Speaking earlier in the week, Slegers said the midfielder "has been mature, calm and enjoying her football" during her reintegration, as reported by Arseblog News.

Her presence alongside Stanway and Little gives Arsenal a settled base, with Mariona pushed wider rather than occupying a central role — a shift that changes the shape of the side's attacking structure against the WSL's most consistent opponent of recent years.

Borbe's inclusion in goal is the other headline decision, the goalkeeper stepping in for a fixture that rarely offers a quiet afternoon at the back.

A big afternoon at Stamford Bridge

Trips to Chelsea have long been the benchmark for Arsenal in the WSL, and the north London side arrive on the back of a week that also saw Fox commit her future to the club with a new contract.

The back four in front of Borbe is a familiar one, with Williamson and Catley continuing their partnership at centre-back and Fox and Batlle providing width from full-back. Russo, meanwhile, leads the line looking to add to her tally against a defence that has been a regular obstacle in the title race.

Slegers has options to change things in the second half, with Foord, Blackstenius, Kelly and Reuteler all available from the bench should the Dutch coach need to alter the balance of the game.

Attention now turns to how Arsenal handle the occasion, with three points at Stamford Bridge an early marker in what promises to be another tight WSL campaign.